Starting methotrexate.. KeithDawson

[D Foster]

Great that you are still getting improvement, try good quality coconut oil as a moisturizer.
As I said MTX worked well for me,a lot of people don't like it but it's a very good treatment for P and PsA .

[KeithDawson]

Hello Everyone

Update: I have taken my 10 mg Folic Acid this morning (17 Aug 2018).
The standing scheduled meds as per my Methotrexate program.

1) Still no noticeable side effects.
2) I had quite a good run since Wednesday morning: NO itching and the scaling was down to very small flakes, however all of a sudden I had a severe itch attack at about 7pm yesterday, which lasted for about 2 hours. I report this as I noticed the itch cycle after taking MTX. The patches still have the red appearance.

A bit of advice which may benefit someone else: To help with the severe itch attacks, my pharmacist recommended a mixture of Dovate (similar to Dobovet) and Epizone A cream. Dovate is only available on prescription.
25 gm Dovate with 175 ml Epizone A cream. Mix the two good. It really helps!

[Fred]

Good the side effects are keeping at bay. Long may it continue for you Keith.

[jiml]

Good to read Keith things are looking positive  

Maybe an increase in your methotrexate might speed things up for you . Worth asking the dermatologist . Then when you’re clear you can reduce the dose to manage it

[KeithDawson]

Thank you for your advice Jim.

I wish I have found this forum earlier.

Initially, I was very scared to go on methotrexate treatment, the usual gathering of information was overwhelming.
My specialist is a huge support and he let me start on the low dosage.
I have a scheduled appointment on 28 August to discuss my progress. I will then ask him to increase the dosage, now that I have more confidence and feel more comfortable with the treatment.

To my benefit I think, is my will to have the treatment, abstaining from all alcohol use and trust in my dermatologist.

[KeithDawson]

Hello All

Update: Last day of my fifth week on MTX - Been to Dermatologist this morning (21  Aug 2018)

Report:


1) He is very satisfied with my progress and so am I.
2) The plaques are not so "bumby" anymore, but a flat appearance.
3) He also indicated to me spots on my legs, with a very smooth though discolored appearance -  "These are the little portions on the way to healing".
4) My MTX dose is also being increased from 10 mg to 12.5 mg, once a week as from tomorrow.

I am still getting my itchy attacks daily at about 5 - 7 pm. 

A bit of advice which may benefit someone else : I found that taking an anti-histamine tablet and an Advil (which have anti-inflammatory properties) in the morning,s keep the inching at bay should you go info a flare up stage.

To  those who feel like giving up, please do not. Hang in there MTX take some time to really let you have the benefit of relief and some healing.

[jiml]

Thanks Keith that's very good news and I'm glad the dermatologist is happy with the control you have the extra 2.5mg may be enough ...
Thanks as well for offering encouragement for others, it's really useful to read and hopefully will be appreciated by others that are worried about taking Methotrexate and give them hope

And thanks for the tip about antihistamine tablets

Good luck and I look forward to reading your next update

[KeithDawson]

@ Jiml

Thank you for your support.

[KeithDawson]

Good day to all of you

Update: Today is the last day of my FIFTH week on MTX.

1) No noticeable side effects.
2) The itchy spells are much less as well as the duration. Normally I had the crazy itches for about two hours, now it lasts for about ten minutes or so. What a relief. 
3) The plagues are also still prominent, but much less scaling.

A bit of advice which may benefit someone else: Keep your skin moisturized, it helps with the itch and I have noticed that the ointment variants works better than the creams. Dry skin emollient with cetomacrogol works the best for me so far.

Just to chat: I had a scare the day before yesterday. Early evening I took a Celebrex capsule (for it's anti inflammatory properties), as I ran out of anti-histamines. Later that night I woke up with a high fever and chills. Early  morning I noticed flaming red spots all over my torso and back, purply red nose and spots on my face and bloody red eyes as if I was on a sherry binge.
Off to my dermatologist and blood work.
The result: I am one of a few people who have an allergic reaction to Celebrex (Celecoxib). Please google for similar variants in your country. 

[Fred]

Keep your skin moisturized, it helps with the itch.

Have you tried a good virgin coconut oil. I'm a big fan, you can read more here: Coconut Oil

Good to hear you are having no side effects, long may it continue.